The Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said it would hear the petition alleging that the Kolkata Police have denied permission to sex workers of Sonagachi to organise Durga Puja.

The petition has been filed by ‘Durbar Mahila Samanway Samiti”, an NGO working in the red light area.

Earlier, a single bench of Justice Sanjib Banerjee had directed the Commissioner of the Kolkata Police to file a report on the issue.

Government pleader Ashoke Banerjee submitted that the petition should be heard by the Division Bench given that the case has much public interest.

Banerjee said that the Kolkata Police did not grant permission to hold Durga Puja in the Sonagachi area even specific guidelines are laid down by the Calcutta High Court in 2004 in connection with the Durga Puja to be held for the first time.

Following such submission, the Division Bench said it would hear the case Tuesday.

Banerjee also said the Division also stayed the proceedings in the bench of Justice Sanjib Banerjee.